Injury to defender changes Liverpool’s January transfer plans

Liverpool could move top of the Premier League table with victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 

The Reds have enjoyed a fine campaign so far and currently sit second in the top flight table, just two points behind leaders Arsenal.

Victory over the Eagles would therefore move Jurgen Klopp’s side into top spot, although the Gunners would later have the chance to return to the summit when they face Aston Villa in Saturday’s late kick-off.

One player that will be missing for the visit to Selhurst Park is defender Joel Matip.

The Cameroon international has suffered a serious knee injury, and his prolonged absence could prompt the Reds to change their January transfer plans, according to 90min.

It is claimed that Matip’s anterior cruciate ligament injury – which is expected to keep him sidelined until next summer – has prompted Liverpool to accelerate their plans to sign a central defender.

The Merseyside outfit had already been planning on signing a centre-back next summer, but Matip’s injury blow means that they could now look to recruit when the window reopens in January.

Matip may have played his final game for Liverpool

Goncalo Inacio, Lucas Beraldo, Piero Hincapie, and Arthur Theate have all been scouted by Liverpool in recent months, with a view to making a move to sign one next summer.

With a potential need to sign a central defender in January, though, the report claims that those in charge of Liverpool’s recruitment feel that a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah could be completed in January.

Matip, 32, joined Liverpool from German side Schalke back in 2016 and has since made more than 200 appearances for the club across all competitions.

The Cameroonian may have played his final match for Klopp’s side, though, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the current season and he is unlikely to return to action before then.